DHS Makeover - What we know so far.....

[PhotoDave219]

We won't have proof for months and months, but 2015 is evidently on track to beat it.

Assuming they continue at the 2% growth gate of the past few years, yes.... It will finally beat 1997. The crowd level trend suggests it, assuming fall follows last year.

Epcot is similarly almost back to 1997 levels at well. Epcot had 11.8M in 97 and had 11.45M last year. I believe they're also on target for having a record (or close) year.

 

[Magenta Panther]

VotLM isn't closed yet although it is possible that it will, there are shows going on daily right now.

I just have to say that I love the show building's interior queue - wonderful fisherman's shack, plus the glowing trident - and the theater interior is great too - the grotto look and the feeling of water all around. The show's always packed when I visit it. Why would it close when it's so popular?

 

[PhotoDave219]

I don't think they have their timeline correct. Star Wars in 3-5 years? For,Star Wars to have any chance of opening in 3 years, construction would need to begin tomorrow. And obviously it isn't.

You sure about that?

 

[gmajew]

Assuming they continue at the 2% growth gate of the past few years, yes.... It will finally beat 1997. The crowd level trend suggests it, assuming fall follows last year.

Epcot is similarly almost back to 1997 levels at well. Epcot had 11.8M in 97 and had 11.45M last year. I believe they're also on target for having a record (or close) year.

We got to hope the economy stays at this level but things show signs of slowing down. Don't know if it will have an effect on this years trips as most are already bought but next year could be interesting.

 

[Lynn Stephens]

With all this news/non-news I am not sure about anything anymore. Booked reservations at Brown Derby for early November, so I know at least it will still be there...for now.

 

[danlb_2000]

I don't think they have their timeline correct. Star Wars in 3-5 years? For,Star Wars to have any chance of opening in 3 years, construction would need to begin tomorrow. And obviously it isn't.

They have built major attractions recently in 2.5 years.

 

[Magenta Panther]

With all this news/non-news I am not sure about anything anymore. Booked reservations at Brown Derby for early November, so I know at least it will still be there...for now.

It better not be going anywhere! It's my fave eatery at DHS. Great food, adult atmosphere, and I always book the Brown Derby/Fantasmic package. You get that, Iger? DON'T. TOUCH. THE. DERBY.

 

[NormC]

I don't think they have their timeline correct. Star Wars in 3-5 years? For,Star Wars to have any chance of opening in 3 years, construction would need to begin tomorrow. And obviously it isn't.

Mine train was built in 33 months.

 

[Kamikaze]

Mine train was built in 33 months.

And that, frankly, should be unacceptable. I know TDO stretches the builds out to spread the money, but 3 years for a single attraction is ridiculous. Walt wouldn't have stood for it. Eisner wouldn't have stood for it. Iger? Off reporting the weather.

 

[Kamikaze]

They have built major attractions recently in 2.5 years.

2.5 years is a very long time when Universal (or Cedar Fair and Six Flags, for that matter - yes, I realize the theming is much less/non existent at the latter two) can do them in about a year.
And what 'major' attractions have taken 2.5 years or less at WDW 'recently'?

 

[PhotoDave219]

2.5 years is a very long time when Universal (or Cedar Fair and Six Flags, for that matter - yes, I realize the theming is much less/non existent at the latter two) can do them in about a year.
And what 'major' attractions have taken 2.5 years or less at WDW 'recently'?

I have every reason to believe that parts of this project will be fast-tracked.

(I'm leaving a few details out to cover a few people's collective rear ends)

 

[danlb_2000]

2.5 years is a very long time when Universal (or Cedar Fair and Six Flags, for that matter - yes, I realize the theming is much less/non existent at the latter two) can do them in about a year.
And what 'major' attractions have taken 2.5 years or less at WDW 'recently'?

Yes, they could build faster, but even at the pace they currently build they could have a major Star Wars attraction open in less then 3 years.

Mine Ride was close, although it may have been a little over since the start date is hard to pin down. Everest took about 2 years 9 month.

 

[danlb_2000]

I have every reason to believe that parts of this project will be fast-tracked.

(I'm leaving a few details out to cover a few people's collective rear ends)

I could easily see the Toy Story Playland rides going in pretty quickly if they wanted them to.

 

[Kamikaze]

I have every reason to believe that parts of this project will be fast-tracked.

(I'm leaving a few details out to cover a few people's collective rear ends)

I certainly hope so - but they have no recent track record of it.

SDMT and JotLM took 2-3 years depending on how you look at the build and the schedule.
TSM took a year and a half, but that was seven years ago. If thats 'recently', then I guess you can make that argument.
It took a year to put new videos and movements into Star Tours.
Everest was over three years.

And thats basically everything 'major' thats opened this century at WDW. Not exactly Empire State Building in 18 months speed here.

 

[PhotoDave219]

I could easily see the Toy Story Playland rides going in pretty quickly if they wanted them to.

I get the feeling they want to

 

[Kamikaze]

Yes, they could build faster, but even at the pace they currently build they could have a major Star Wars attraction open in less then 3 years.

Mine Ride was close, although it may have been a little over since the start date is hard to pin down. Everest took about 2 years 9 month.

In less than three years, the openings of THREE DIFFERENT Star Wars movies will have come and gone. (EPVII in Dec, Rogue One in Dec 16, EP VIII in May 17). Having whatever 'major' Star Wars attraction is coming be open in three years is not a fast enough timeline. Or at least - it shouldn't be. Especially when they can effectively shut down half the park at this point.

Everest was also almost ten years ago. A lot has changed for the worse between then and now, and it took 3 years even then (announced April 03, opened April 06).

I could easily see the Toy Story Playland rides going in pretty quickly if they wanted them to.

Wow, they can plop down some off the shelf rides that they've already used in CA quickly? Even if they don't make them all Cars themed and instead do Toy Story, that entire portion of the project should be complete within a year of announcement. Because even if they are themed differently, they are still going to be the same rides as Cars land (not including RSR - obviously).

 

[danlb_2000]

I certainly hope so - but they have no recent track record of it.

SDMT and JotLM took 2-3 years depending on how you look at the build and the schedule.
TSM took a year and a half, but that was seven years ago. If thats 'recently', then I guess you can make that argument.
It took a year to put new videos and movements into Star Tours.
Everest was over three years.

And thats basically everything 'major' thats opened this century at WDW. Not exactly Empire State Building in 18 months speed here.

Everest, Mermaid and the Mine Ride took less then 3 years each. I am basing times on when we saw the actual construction start, not when it was announced.

In less than three years, the openings of THREE DIFFERENT Star Wars movies will have come and gone. (EPVII in Dec, Rogue One in Dec 16, EP VIII in May 17). Having whatever 'major' Star Wars attraction is coming be open in three years is not a fast enough timeline. Or at least - it shouldn't be. Especially when they can effectively shut down half the park at this point.

Everest was also almost ten years ago. A lot has changed for the worse between then and now, and it took 3 years even then (announced April 03, opened April 06).

I am not debating how long it should take, just challenging the assertion that three years is not enough time to get it built.

 

[Kamikaze]

Everest, Mermaid and the Mine Ride took less then 3 years each. I am basing times on when we saw the actual construction start, not when it was announced.

I am not debating how long it should take, just challenging the assertion that three years is not enough time to get it built.

You said 2.5. Now you've switched it to 3. None of those attractions took less than 30 months, even if you go from construction start date. The only one that can even be considered close is Mermaid, and while a nice attraction, I wouldn't consider it 'major' on the level of what would be expected from a new Star Wars E-Ticket.

 

[wannabeBelle]

You said 2.5. Now you've switched it to 3. None of those attractions took less than 30 months, even if you go from construction start date. The only one that can even be considered close is Mermaid, and while a nice attraction, I wouldn't consider it 'major' on the level of what would be expected from a new Star Wars E-Ticket.

Also keep in mind that with the NDA's that are in place we probably don't know how much of the Imagineering portion is done. I hope that this is all true and within the next three years the majority of these new lands and attractions will be done. I have a lot of faith in Disney and believe they CAN do it in under 3 years, if the effort, money and manpower is put into it. If that will be done, is an entirely different conversation. Marie

 

[danlb_2000]

You said 2.5. Now you've switched it to 3. None of those attractions took less than 30 months, even if you go from construction start date. The only one that can even be considered close is Mermaid, and while a nice attraction, I wouldn't consider it 'major' on the level of what would be expected from a new Star Wars E-Ticket.

Sorry, I was a little off on the 2.5, but based on my research which is in this thread, http://forums.wdwmagic.com/threads/construction-times.875058/, all three of those took a little under 3 years which is what was really in question. I stand by my assertion that a Star Wars attraction could be built in 3 years even at the current pace of construction.

Now, whether I believe they will start working on Star Wars in time to have it open in three years, that's another story.